It’s no secret that cosmetic procedures have become increasingly popular over the course of the past ten years. Along with an uproar in scientific advances in the field of cosmetic medicine, cosmetic surgery and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures seem to be more socially acceptable now than they were ten years ago. Why? Not only have some of our favorite celebrities now admitted to their regular cosmetic treatments to keep their skin glowing, but because these treatments are so available, especially in large cities run by fashion, film, and the corporate world. Medical Spas in New York and other large cities are not hard to come by, making it easy to get any cosmetic procedure as it is right at your fingertips. Furthermore, cosmetic treatments that require regular follow up appointments, such as Botox, are surprisingly affordable, making them a treatment that anyone can benefit from. The cost of Botox is particularly low compared to other more invasive cosmetic procedures on the market. Botox is the single most commonly administered minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the United States. What is interesting about the whole thing, is that most people prefer to keep their regular Botox treatments to themselves. In 2020 alone, 4.4M Botox treatments were administered, which is a huge difference compared to the 787,000 Botox treatments recorded in the year 2000. Regardless of whether you want to share your Botox treatments with other people or not, here are some of the reasons why Botox is so popular.
It Is Minimally Invasive
Botox is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning that there is no surgical intervention involved. Botox procedure consists of several injections of the neurotoxin into the facial muscles, which causes the muscle to paralyze, restricting the muscle contractions that typically form lines and wrinkles. The results last up to 3 – 5 months until the Botox wears off. The side effects are minimal and usually only include possible swelling and bruising.
It Can Be Used Preventatively
Botox isn’t only common amongst the older population that has already developed wrinkles. Botox is also popular amongst the younger generations due to its preventive qualities. Because it works by restricting muscle contractions that usually contribute to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, when injected into someone who does not yet have any wrinkles, Botox will prevent the formation of wrinkles in the first place. As it has become more socially acceptable over the years and has spread its way to a variety of ages and genders, Botox is now the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic treatment on the market.
It Isn’t Only For Wrinkle Elimination And Prevention
While the primary purpose of cosmetic Botox injections is still wrinkle elimination and prevention, Botox has a few other cosmetic benefits. When injected into the masseters, Botox will relax those muscles, ultimately slimming down the lower face. This is particularly popular amongst people who have a wider jaw and want to slim down their jawlines. Botox can also be injected above the lip for two different purposes. One is what is called the lip flip, which is when small amounts of Botox are injected right above the lip, causing the upper lip to flip upward to create a fuller appearing upper lip. The other way that Botox can be used above the lip is to treat “gummy smiles,” which is when someone smiles and their gums and full teeth are completely exposed. Because this is a source of insecurity for some, Botox is often injected above the lip to relax that muscle and reduce the visibility of the gums and teeth while smiling.
It Is Used Medically
Aside from cosmetic purposes, Botox is also used medically to treat a variety of ailments including TMJ, hyperhidrosis, and headaches. For TMJ, Botox is injected into the masseters to relax the muscle and prevent constant grinding of the teeth. Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating which can be reduced with Botox injections. For this, Botox is injected in the under arms, feet, hands, and other regions of the body that produce excessive sweat. Botox is also used to treat chronic migraines, in which case it is sometimes even covered by insurance!
Being that Botox has such versatile uses, it is not surprising that it is the most commonly used procedure in the United States. While many do seem to keep the treatment to themselves, chances are that you probably know quite a few people who get these injections, whether it be for cosmetic or medical purposes. If you are interested in getting Botox injections, be sure to consult with a board certified and experienced injector to make sure that you get the best possible treatment for your individual case.
